Tips

A collection of 61 posts

Tips

Group Riding Safely

Riding in a group can be a great way to enjoy the camaraderie of traveling with other like-minded motorcyclists. Caravanning in a large, unbroken procession, however, poses special risks. For example, the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally, where riders often tour in sizable packs, recorded one the highest number of fatalities in

Tips

Chain & Final Drive Maintenance

Motorcycle chains and final drives are strong, durable, and efficient, but they do need occasional maintenance. Fortunately, these are fairly simple procedures and can be accomplished by most owners in a reasonably short time. A quick inspection should be performed before every ride. On bikes equipped with chains, a thorough

Tips

Getting Your Bike Ready to Tour

With summer fast approaching, now is the time to make sure your mount is ready to hit the road. If you’re like many of us at RoadRUNNER, during the colder months you scope out touring destinations, research scenic routes, create packing lists, decide on touring dates, and have made

Tips

Close Encounters of the Four-Legged Kind

Among the most difficult hazards for motorcyclists to avoid are four-legged animals, which can appear suddenly, without warning and cause a rider to part company with his or her motorcycle. I learned this lesson the hard way early in my motorcycling career. Nowadays, I find myself continually scanning the road

Tips

A Motorcyclists Life Riding with Young Passengers

A lot of motorcyclists like to share the thrill of riding with family members and friends. Some even enjoy introducing their kids to riding at a very young age. However, when it comes to young passengers and motorcycles, a lot of riders don’t know if there are age restrictions

Tips

Heat Management: How to Keep Your Cool

It’s a gorgeous summer’s day. The sun shines, not a single cloud breaks the vast blue dome above you, and the temperature is perfect—at least for a day at the beach. But inside your riding leathers, you’re quickly starting to cook sous vide. As a resident

Tips

Touring Tip: Traveling Solo

The Benefits and Risks of Riding by Yourself I like sharing long-distance motorcycle travel with one or two other riders, but no more than three; more than that and group management becomes burdensome and potentially contentious. Two of the benefits of traveling with fellow riders are the conversations at mealtimes

Sidetracked Premium Content

Why We Stand

Ouray, CO, “Little Switzerland.” Vehicles roll through town packed with overlanding gear, and dual-sport motorcycles parade the streets with their colorful jockeys aboard. Smack in the middle of this melee rides a group of Space Rangers on loaded, knobby-tired beasts, some with cylinders protruding from the sides like proud iron

Tips

Keeping Your Body Temperature in Check

When the effects of high humidity are added into the heat index calculation, motorcycle riding can be very uncomfortable. To compensate, riders must enhance the natural evaporative cooling process produced by their body’s perspiration. Here are our seven tips for staying cool on the road: Stay Breezy Large windscreens

Tips

Touring Tip: Staying Hydrated

Water: The Essential Riding Companion Did you know that your body is mostly water? The average human body contains around 10 to 12 gallons of it. With high temperatures across the nation, we thought it would be a good idea to revisit the importance of keeping hydrated. Water performs several

Tips

Selfie Confidence: Documenting Your Next Ride

It’s the craze that’s sweeping the nation! Here’s a selfie of me with friends! Here’s a selfie of me in the bathroom! Here’s a selfie of me in front of a thing that I saw! Here’s a selfie of me with a bacon cheeseburger!

Tips

Riding in Foggy Conditions

Riding in fog—especially when it’s combined with rain and darkness—heightens a number of risk factors that prudent motorcyclists usually seek to avoid: 1. Rider visibility of potential hazards, both ahead and from behind (like being rear-ended by a faster moving vehicle) is severely restricted. 2. Accumulation of

Tips

Slowing Things Down Smoothly

Whether you are new to motorcycles or have been in the saddle for years, there are certain riding fundamentals that apply to everyone. They are there to help us stay safe and confident by providing an understanding of how our motorcycles have been designed to be ridden. Hopefully we can

Tips

Motorcycle Riding in Construction Zones

It’s basically summer, which means you’ve probably already ridden through plenty of construction zones. It may seem obvious that you should ride with more caution and watch for hazards in work areas, but did you know that nearly every state has special road construction traffic laws? As a

Tips

Hit and Run Motorcycle Accidents

There are many situations that can cause motorcycle accidents, but perhaps some of the most devastating are hit-and-run accidents. Victims of hit-and-run accidents can suffer worse injuries, or even die, during the time it takes for someone to notice the accident and for an ambulance to arrive. A driver who

Buyers Guide

Top Five Touring Accessories

Some bikes come with all of the touring accessories a rider could possibly want, but for many of us our bike requires a few additions. These categories are the top areas where touring riders may want to shop to enhance their riding experience. A Comfortable Seat [https://imp.i104546.net/

Tips

Motorcycle Safety Checklist for Spring Riders

The Pre-Ride Check Spring is officially here—time to kick off the riding season. But before you hop on your bike and put on your helmet, take a few minutes to review our safety checklist. By taking the time to inspect your bike for any potential hazards, you can ensure

Tips

Common Motorcycle Insurance Questions Answered

Decoding Motorcycle Coverage One of the most common questions I hear regarding motorcycle insurance is, “What is the average cost of a motorcycle insurance policy?” Another common question: “What do I really need on my policy, and what can I do to drop my overall insurance cost?” Here are some

Tips

The Hunt: Buying a Bike off Craigslist

Shopping for a new bike can be a whole lot of fun, but actually buying one can turn into a nightmare. For many of us, going to a dealership to look at brand new (or almost new) bikes just isn’t financially an option, so to get what we’re

Tips

Motorcycle Licensing Laws Are Different for Teen Riders

Some time ago, Pennsylvania instituted training requirements for teens wanting to obtain their motorcycle license. Under Pennsylvania’s law, all 16- and 17-year-olds applying for a motorcycle license must first complete the state-approved motorcycle safety program. Courses like Pennsylvania’s Basic Rider Course are meant to provide young bikers with

Tips

Riding in Cold Weather

Those of us living in the northern latitudes have recently been in the grip of a particularly cold blast of winter weather. Although many of us like to ride throughout the year, there are additional risks that need to be mitigated for cold weather riding: Wind Chill Risk—Wind velocity

Tips

Pure Magic: Power to the Rear Wheel

It’s been said many times, “Anyone can ride a motorcycle fast in a straight line”.  Starting and stopping can sometimes results in a crash, especially during a turn.  Sure, you can pedal or glide your feet like Fred Flintstone for stability—but there is a better way. Ask a

Tips

What you should know when buying a used motorcycle

Motorcycles are a big investment, so luckily there are plenty of less expensive, used bikes on the market. However, there are many things you need to consider. From accident records to service history, it’s important to take the time to inspect and research the bike you’re buying. Follow

Tips

Cager Ragers: Hidden Dangers of the Road

It’s probably not too big of a stretch to assume most of us have had a moment or two on the road where anger makes us want to go Redrum like Jack Nicholson’s character in Stephen King’s The Shining. Perhaps some of us have given into that

Tips

Choosing Motorcycle Insurance

If you’re a biker, there’s a good chance that you or someone you know has been in a motorcycle crash. In 2009 alone, more than 90,000 motorcyclists or passengers were injured in accidents, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Unfortunately, law-abiding and careful motorcycle operators